The Present Legal System in Aystria Regarding Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol A-Call for Action 860193

The limit of 0.08 % BAC above which it is illegal to drive a vehicle became effective on January 1,1961. At this time the Alcotest was introduced as a screening method followed by a clinical examination by a physician. If an arrested driver wanted a blood-sample taken, or if another person was seriously or fatally injured the blood sample is obligatory. While this legislation was an improvement many practical problems arose, expecially enforcement in rural areas was and still is difficult. In order to make enforcement easier and more effective the introduction of a quantitative breath test was considered. A field study carried out in Innsbruck showed high blood - breath correlations. Subsequently a parliamentary subcommittee discussed an adequate alteration of the law, naming both limits for blood and breath alcohol concentrations. Now the amendment to the law awaits parliamentary decision.